Hopkins (28-0-1, 11 KOs) looked solid during his 10-round unanimous decision against a game and ready Enrique Colin (23-4-3, 19 KOs). It was a workman-like performance for Hopkins.

The 27-year-old from Philadelphia had superior hand speed, good ring generalship, and proved too much for Colin. Hopkins jabbed and countered effectively using solid combinations from different angles.

“I looked good, but there are some things I’ve got to work on,” Hopkins told BASN. “I just want to fight the best of the best.” Demetrius called-out once-beaten IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi.

“I want to fight Malignaggi,” Hopkins added. “I think it will be good for the junior welterweight division.”

A fight between Demetrius and Paulie would be an exciting 12-round fight. Both fighters are very quick and maintain excellent hand speed, movement, and can throw three, four, and five-punch combinations.

“I’m fast,” Hopkins explained. “We’re both fast. It will come down to who’s stronger, and I’m stronger. I just want to fight and to show the world that I’m the best.”

Malignaggi, who hasn’t had a big fight since his dramatic 12-round decision loss to Miguel Cotto in June 2006, must first surpass the challenge to mandatory challenger Herman Nogodjo on January 8, 2008 at Bally’s Atlantic City.

It will be Malignaggi’s first successful defense of the IBF 140-pound title he won when he beat Lovermore N’dou in June.

Perhaps Golden Boy Promotions and Demetrius’ uncle Bernard, an investor in GBP, should consider a Malignaggi-Hopkins title fight for 2008.

HBO BAD Continues To Make Stars, Showcase Talent

HBO’s critically acclaimed “Boxing After Dark” late night series continues to showcase the best talent in the lower-weight classes. Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Manny Pacquaio, and Miguel Cotto became HBO Pay-Per-View stars.

It remains to be seen whether Joan Guzman is follow in their footsteps, but he is sure generating a following. Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, successfully defended the WBO super featherweight championship for the second time with a solid unanimous decision victory against Mexico’s Humberto Soto (43-6-2, 27 KOs) after twelve rounds.

Guzman-Soto was the main event attraction to another exciting edition of HBO Boxing After Dark. The fight was virtual slugfest between both fighters in the first six rounds. Guzman’s diverse boxing skills matched well with Soto’s power. Although Guzman proved he could bang with Soto, the champion was unable to hurt Soto.

After the seventh round, Guzman out-boxed Soto for the remainder of the bout. Guzman, flicking his jab and taking occasional risks, was too illusive for Soto. Soto did press the fight by taking the action to Guzman, but the challenger missed a lot of punches in the process.

In the end, all three judges scored the bout 118-110 and 117-111 (twice) for Guzman. The victory was Guzman’s seventh consecutive fight that went the distance. Guzman hasn’t recorded a knockout since February 2004 when he defeated Agapito Sanchez.

In the televised co-featured attraction: Unbeaten bantamweight Abner Mares (15-0, 9 KOs) won a hard-fought 12-round decision against Damian Marchiano (14-3-1, 5 KOs). All three judges scored the bout unanimously for Mares by scores of 118-109 (twice) and 117-111.